Grounds for Divorce: There are six grounds for a court to grant an absolute divorce:
1. adultery
2. desertion (constructive and actual)
3. voluntary separation
4. criminal conviction of a felony or misdemeanor
5. two year separation
6. insanity
In a limited divorce there are four grounds for a court to grant a limited divorce:
1. cruelty (against the child of the complaining party and/or against the complaining party)
2. excessive cruelty
3. desertion (construction and actual)
4. voluntary separation
Residency Requirements: If the grounds for divorce occurred outside the state of Maryland, there is a one year residency requirement, otherwise, if either spouse is a resident of Maryland, either spouse may file for divorce where either spouse resides. If a spouse is filing for divorce under the grounds of insanity, the residency requirement in increased to two years.
Maryland Child Support Enforcement Service Links and Telephone Numbers
Maryland Child Support Enforcement Program
Telephone: Listed by county on website
Maryland Child Support Guidelines and Calculator
Maryland Online Child Support Worksheet
Maryland Divorce Forms Online
Maryland Judiciary Family Court Forms
Maryland Divorce Laws
Maryland Domestic Violence Resource Links and Telephone Numbers
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Telephone: 301–352–4574
Toll Free: 800–MD–HELPS
Maryland Free or Low Cost Legal Services Programs
Telephone: 410-539-5340
Maryland Mediation Centers and Service Links and Telephone Numbers
Department of Family Administration
Telephone: 410–260–1580
Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office
Telephone: 410–841–2260
Maryland State and Local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Links
Maryland State Bar
Bar Association of Baltimore City
Bar Association of Montgomery County
Baltimore County Bar Association
Prince George’s County Bar Association
Maryland State and Local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Telephone Numbers
Anne Arundel County: 410–280–6961
Baltimore: 410–539–3112
Calvert County: 410–535–5300
Cecil County: 410–398–0910
Charles County: 301–609–9350
Dorchester County: 410–228–1770
Ellicott City: 410–313–2030
Garrett County: 301–334–0900
Harford County: 410–836–0123
Queen Anne County: 410–643–4000
Rockville: 301–279–9100
Saint Mary’s County: 301–475–9101
Talbot County: 410–822–4777
Towson: 410–337–9100
Upper Marlboro: 301–952–1440
Westminster: 410–857–1451 or Toll Free: 800–649–1090
Wicomico County (Garrett Sheller, Esq.): 410–749–2356
Worcester County: 410–723–6500
